Apparatus for gas-freeing and cleaning tankers



Feb. 27, 1962 c. M. PERKQINS 3,022,792

APPARATUS FOR GAS-FREEING AND CLEANING TANKERS Filed May 25, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

(H/(Hf! M PLP/U/VI ATTO/PA/EX Fe 2 c. M. PERKINS 3,022,792

APPARATUS FOR GAS-FREEING AND CLEANING TANKERS Filed May 25, 1959 2Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR. CW/l/PZA M a k/m 3,022,792 APPARATUS FGRGAS-FREEING AN CLEANING TANKERS Charles M. Perkins, RED. 1, Albion, ilk,assignor of one-tenth to Warren K; Price, Vioia, Del. Filed May 25, was,Ser. No. 815,589 7 Claims. (Cl. 134-168) This invention relatesgenerally to the cleaning and gas-freeing of tanker ships, and embracescertain novel apparatus for employment therein.

As is well-known to those versed in the art, gas-freemg andtank-cleaning procedures on tanker ships have heretofore been extremelycostly, both in time and labor. According to previous systems ofgas-freeing and tankcleaning, it was necessary to perform the operationswell out at sea for reasons of safety and sanitation. This furtherincreased the total time required. Also, prior systems of this type wereextremely wasteful in discarding reclaimable cargo, as well as reusablecleaning liquid.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideapparatus for the cleaning and gas-freeing of tanker ships wherein theoperation may be performed with a considerable saving in time, atdockside if desired, and wherein the cleaning liquid is adapted to bereused, and cargo reclaimed, to efiect considerable economy in theprocedure.

It is another object of the present invention to provide apparatus forgas-freeing and tank-cleaning for use on tanker ships which is extremelyversatile so as to be capable of operation under a wide variety ofconditions, and which is entirely safe and saves considerable time andexpense by being capable of performance even when a ship is under way.

It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide agas-freeing and tank-cleaning system for tankers which utilizes theconventional tanker equipment with the addition of certain novelapparatus to achieve the above-mentioned advantageous operation.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings,which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, andcombinations and arrangements of elements, which will be exemplified inthe following description, and of which the scope will be indicated bythe appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the apparatus employed in atanker ship in practice of the present invention, including conventionalequipment and certain improvements employed in conjunction therewith;

FIGURE 2 is a sectioal elevational view taken through the reservoir ofFIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 ofFIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view, partly in section, showing the ejectorand separator of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 ofFIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view, partially in section, showing a finaLcleanupapparatus of the present invention in its operative condition; and

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, showing the final-cleanupapparatus in a nonuse condition.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically toFIGURE 1 thereof, a tanker ship is there schematically represented at10, and shown for purposes of illustration as having three sections orgroups of cargo tanks 11, 12, and 13. Aft or rearward of the rearvaszzssz Patented Feb. 27, 1962 most tank section 11 is the pump room 14.In the illustrated embodiment, each tank section is shown as includingthree tanks disposed in side-by-side relation, for example the tanksection 11 including starboard tank 15, center tank 16, and port tank17. However, the tank sections may, and usually do include more thanthree tanks. For purposes of terminology herein, a tank section may beconsidered as a group of tanks serviced by a single cargo line, as willappear presently.

Extending forward from the pump room 14 are a plurality of cargo-suctionlines or pipes 20, 21, and 22, respectively corresponding to the tanksections 11, 12, and 13. That is, the cargo line 20 extends forward tothe tank section 11 where it is provided with a selectively closablevalve 23 and a lateral extension 24 passing into each of the tanks 15,i6, and 17 and there respectively provided with valved pickup or suctionheads 25, 26, and 27. Hence, the cargo line 20 is selectivelycommunicable with any desired one, or more, or none of the tanks in tanksection 11. 7

Similarly, the cargo line 21 extends forward to the tank section 12,where it is provided with a selectively closable valve 30, and a lateralextension 31 having a depending, valved suction head 32 in each of thetanks of tank section 12. Also, the cargo line 22 extends forward to thetank section 13 and is there provided with a selectively closable valve33 and extension piping 34 to the tanks of this tank section, in eachtank of which the extension piping is provided with a depending, valvedsuction head 35. Thus, each of the cargo lines 21 and 22 is selectivelycommunicable with any one or more, or none of the tanks in itsassociated tank section, 12 and 13, respectively.

In the pump room 14 is located a laterally extending crossover line orpipe 38 connected at spaced points to each of the laterally spaced cargolines 20, 21, and 22. The cargo lines 2%, 21, and 22 may each extendrearward from the pump-room crossover 41, respectively, each rearwardcargo extension being connected to a cargo pump, as at 42, 43, and 44.

An additional pump 45, such as the conventional fire pump, may beprovided with a discharge line 46 extending abovedeck and provided witha plurality of valved outlet nipples 47 adjacent to the various tanksections. A hose or conduit 48 is selectively connectable to the outlets47 of the line 46 and provided with a spraying device 49, such asButterworth washing machine.

The apparatus described thus far in detail may be conventional, orsubstantially so in existing tanker ships.

' At a level below or beneath the pump-room crossover 38 there mayextend a laterally disposed sludge conduit or pipe 58 having upstandingvalved connections 51, 52, and 53 to the pump-room crossover at itsjunctions, respectively, with the cargo lines 20, 21, and 22. Thecargo-line crossover may be provided with a valve 54 between itsconnections to the cargo lines 20 and 21, and a valve 55 between itsconnections to the cargo lines 21 and 22. Also, valves 56, 57, and 58may be provided, respectively, in the rearward cargo-line extensions'39, 4t), and 41.

At an elevated location in the pump room 14 is positioned acleaning-liquid vessel or reservoir generally designated 60. As theupper region of the conventional tanker pump room is empty, thisprovides an advantageous location for the reservoir 60. Connected to thesludge line 50 by a conduit 61, and located at substantially the samelevel as the sludge line, is a sludge pump 62 which has its pressureside connected by a conduit 63 to the reservoir 60. A valved branchdischarge line or conduit 64 may be connected to the conduit 63 ad-,jacent to the reservoir and, a valve 65 may be connected in the conduit63 between the discharge branch 64 and the reservoir 60. 4

line 38, as at 37, 40, and

3 A pair of fluid conduits, lines, or pipes, generally designated 67 and68, extend from respective opposite ends of the pump-room crossover 38to the reservoir or tank 60. That is, each of the conduits 67 and 68extends from the crossover 38 to the reservoir 60, opening into thelatter at an elevation spaced above the liquid level therein, as willappear more fully hereinafter. In FIGURE 1 it will be observed that theconduit 67 extends generally vertically upward in the region 69 from theend of crossover 38 adjacent to the cargo line 20, and is provided witha valve 70 adjacent to the juncture of the latter cargo line and thecrossover 38. From the upperend of its generally vertical region 69 theconduit 67 may extend generally horizontally and rearward, as at 71,extending thence generally vertically upward as at 72, and terminatingin a generally horizontal conduit portion 73 connected to the reservoir.Similarly, the conduit 68 includes a generally vertically disposedportion 74, extending upward from the opposite end of the crossover 38adjacent to its juncture with the cargo line 22, and thence generallyhorizontally and rearward as at 75. From the rearward end of the region75, the conduit 78 extends generally vertically upward at 76 andterminates in a generally horizontal portion 77 connected to the tank60. The conduit 68 may have a valve 78 in its generally vertical region74, corresponding to the valve 7001 the conduit 67.

A withdrawal means, ejector, or inductor, is generally designated 30,and may be of the type operating upon the siphon principle employingsubstantial velocity movement of an operating liquid. Toward this end,an operating-liquid conduit or pipe 81 is connected at its upper end tothe ejector 80 to operate the latter, and is connected at its lower endthrough a cross pipe 89 at a plurality of valved branches or extensions82, 83, and 84, with the high-pressure sides of the cargo pumps 42, 43,and 44, respectively. A sea-water inlet conduit or line 85 extendslaterally and is connected by a valved connection to each of thecargo-line extensions 39, 40, and 41. That is, the valved connections86, 87, and 88 respectively connect the sea-water inlet line to thecargoline extensions 39, 40, and 41 for connection therethrough to thelow-pressure or suction sides of the cargo pumps 42, 43, and 44.

Connected to the outlet of the ejector 80, as by a conduit 90 is aseparator generally designated 91 for separating gases from liquids. Aliquid-discharge line 92 is connected to the underside of the separatorfor discharging liquid overboard, or otherwise as desired. Agasdischarge line 93 is connected to the upper end of the separator 91and extends upward therefrom for discharging the separated gases, in themanner of a stack. A valve 94 may be provided in the gas-discharge line.

interconnecting the pair of discharge conduits 67 and 68, preferably inthe region of their generally vertical portions 72 and 76 is anarrangement of valved piping, generally designated 95. This piping isbest seen in FIG- URE 8. It will there be observed that an upperlaterally disposed conduit or pipe 96 has its opposite ends con nectedin fluid communication with respective pipe regions 72 and 76, and isprovided adjacent to said pipe regions with respective valves 97 and 98.Also, the generally vertically extending pipe regions 72 and 76 areprovided with valves 99 and 100, respectively, located between theconduit 96 and the connection regions 73 and 77 which connect to thereservoir 60.

An additional laterally disposed conduit or pipe 101 has its oppositeends respectively connected in fluid communication with the pipe regions72 and 76, and is located vertical spaced below the conduit 96. Valves102 and 103 are provided in the conduit 101 respectively adjacent to thepipe regions 72 and 76; and valves 104 and 105 are provided in the piperegions 72 and 76, respectively, between the conduits 101 and 96.

. Referring again to FIGURE 1, it will be noted that a branch conduit103 is connected between the gas-discharge conduit 93 of the separator91 and the medial region of the lower lateral conduit 101, between thevalves 102 and 103. A valve 107 may be provided in the branch conduit108.

Extending from a medial region of the upper laterally disposed conduit96, between its valves 97 and 98 is an additional conduit 109 which hasits other end connected to the suction or gas inlet 110 of the ejector80. A valved branch line 111 may be connected to the conduit 109.

in FIGURES 2 and 3 are shown details of the reservoir 60, which inciudesa vessel or tank 113 having an upper end closure or lid 114, which maybe hinged, as'at 115 to one wall of the tank for opening and closingmovement relative thereto. Contained in the tank 113 is a quantity ofcleaning liquid 116, which may be fresh water, heated or cold,preferably containing a detergent or other suitable cleaning agent. lsoillustrated in the tank 113 is a layer of reclaimed oil 117, or thelike, strati-fied above the level of the cleaning liquid 116. Heatingmeans 118, say a steam-heating coil or otherwise, may be providedinteriorly of the tank 113 for heating the cleaning liquid 116.

It will be noted that the pair of conduits 67 and 68 enter the tank 113through their connection regions 73 and 77 in laterally spaced relationabove the level of liquids contained in the tank. A generally verticalseparating plate or baflie may be fixed interiorly of the tank 113between the connections therewith of the connecting conduit regions 73and 77. Also, a pair of downwardly deflecting baides 121 and 122 may bemounted interiorly of the tank 113, each disposed obliquely in front ofthe opening of a respective conduit connecting region 73 and 77 into thetank. The deflecting battles 121 and 122 may be carried by the tank topwall or lid 114, as by brackets 123 and 124.

The upper end region 125 of the sludge line 63 is connected to the tank113 and opens into the later below the level of the cleaning liquid 116.Also connected to the tank 113, preferably above the bottom wall andbelow the level of the cleaning liquid 116 is the upper end of an intakeconduit 126 having its lower end connected to the low-pressure side ofthe pump 45.

In FIGURES 4 and 5 are seen the ejector or eductor 30 and the liquid-gasseparator 91. The ejector is illustrated as being of theliquid-operating, aspirating type having an operating-liquid inlet 128connected to the upper end of the conduit 81 from the cargo pumps. Thegas inlet 110 of the ejector 80 is connected to the conduit 109, and theoutlet 129 of the ejector, for the egress of operating liquid andentrained gas, is connected through the conduit 90 to the liquid-gasseparator 91.

The separator 91 may include a generally vertical cylinder 130 having aninternal helical vane 131 extending about its internal wall surface. Theconduit 90 is connected tangentially to the cylindrical chamber 130 forentry therein beneath the helical vane 131. The lower end of the chamber130 opens through the liquid-discharge conduit 92, while the upper endof the chamber opens through the gas-discharge conduit 93. In operation,the relatively heavy liquid is impelled centrifugally outward by thetangential entry through conduit 90 into the chamber 130, and directeddownward toward the outlet or discharge conduit 92, while the relativelylight gas, having considerably less centrifugal force, passes centrallyupward from the chamber 130 through the outlet 93.

A cargo line, say the cargo line 20, is shown enlarged in FIGURE 6, andthere rovided with a nipple 133 having an end flange 134, and providedwith a closure valve 135. A manifold fitting, generally designated 136,in-

' cludes a trunk pipe 138 and a plurality of branch pipes or nipples 139extending from the trunk. The distal ends of the branch pipes 139 may beprovided with removable closure plugs 140. One end of the trunk conduit138 is removably insertable into the nipple 133, and provided with anexternal peripheral flange 141 which cooperates with the nipple flange134 to sandwich therebetween a sealing gasket 142.

A flexible suction hose 143 has one insertable into the distal end of abranch 139 when its plug 140 has been removed. The insertion end of thesuction hose 143 may be provided with an external collar 144 to limitits insertion into the respective branch 139; and, the opposite end ofthe suction hose may be provided with an intake head 145.

When the manifold suction fitting 136 is not in use, the nipple 133 maybe closed by an end plate 146 bolted in covering relation to the flange134, as seen in FIGURE 7.

In operation, cleaning liquid is pumped from the res ervoir 60, throughthe conduit 126, pump 45, conduit 46, a selected nipple 47, and throughthe hose 48, to the Butterworth washing device 49 which is suspended ina tank to be cleaned for washing the latter. Simultaneously, one or moreof the cargo pumps 42, 43, and 44 pass operating liquid, such as seawater from the intake conduit 85 through the selected cargo pump orpumps, and subsequently through the conduit 81 and into the ejector 80.The liquid passes through the ejector and its outlet conduit 90 to theseparator 91. This passage of liquid through the ejector 80 creates avacuum at the gas inlet 110. This vacuum is transmitted through the line109 and piping 95, and thence through a selected one of the conduits 67and 68 and'the proper cargo line for applying suction to and withdrawingmaterial from the tank being washed. It is believed obvious that eitherof the pair of conduits 67 and 68 may be connected to any tank in anytank section by proper manipulation of valves in the pump-room crossover38 and in the cargo lines. The material withdrawn from the tank beingwashed includes the cleaning liquid, reclaimable oil, and sludgeincluding rust and the like, as well as gases or vapors in the tank. Byreason of the elevation of the ejector 80 above the level of the cargolines, and the vertically extending regions 69 and 74 of the conduits 67and 68, the liquids and solids withdrawn from a tank being washed arenot elevated appreciably, if at all, into the conduits 67 and 68, butrather fall into the sludge conduit 50. From the sludge conduit 50, thesolids or muck is pumped through the muck pump 62 and the conduit 63into the reservoir 60, where it settles out and may easily be removed,if desired. Alternatively, the sludge or muck may be pumped through theconduit 63 and discharged overboard through the conduit 64, by properoperation of the valves associated with these conduits.

However, the gaseous material withdrawn from the tank being washed issucked up through the particular conduit 67 or 68 in fluid :ommunicationwith the tank, and through the piping means 95 and conduit 109 to thegas inlet 110 of the ejector, where it becomes entrained in the liquidoperating the ejector. The ejector-operating liquid and gases entrainedtherein are passed to the separator 91 for separation of the gases fromthe liquids, the latter being discharged overboard through conduit 92.The gases may then be discharged upward through the stack or conduit 93to the atmosphere, or recirculated through the branch conduit 108,piping means 95, and the other one of the conduits 67 and 68 to adesired tank. This recirculation of withdrawn gases is highlyadvantageous especially when the tank from which the gases are beingwithdrawn has cooled down so that the gases are relatively cool andclean. These relatively cool and clean gases may then be passed to alater or more recently washed tank to displace the relatively hot gasvapors in a more recently or later-washed tank and expel the hottergases and vapors upward out of the tank. Of course, as soon as the firsttank is washed by the Butterworth machine, the machine may betransferred to another tank for washing. The secondwashed tank ispreferably in a different section of tanks so that the relatively cooland clean gases withdrawn from the first-washed That is,'openin'g of thevalved conduit 111 will pass fresh is air into entrainment with theejector-operating liquid for separation therefrom and recirculation tothe first-washed tank, in the manner described above.

When a tank is sufficiently cool and gas-free, a final cleanup maybeaccomplished by men'entering into the tank and employing the apparatusof FIGURE 6 to suck remaining dirt and scale into the cargo lines forwithdrawal to the muck pump and subsequent passage to the reservoir 60.This may be performed immediately following the introduction ofrelatively cool and clean gas into a washed tank.

Of course, the above-described procedure is repeated with all of thetankstand, the manner of operation is highly versatile for use under allpossible conditions.

If it is desired, the final cleanup operation may be accomplishedwithout the apparatus of FIGURE 6, say by men shoveling the dirt andscale into a bucket connected to the cargo line. 7

After all tanks are cleaned, the pipe lines may be washed with cold orhot water, and detergent if desired, which is returned to the reservoir60 by the muck pump 62, and fresh airis drawn through the cargo linesfor complete gas-freeing. This washing of the pipe lines may beaccomplishedwith the main cargo pumps at relatively high speed to insurethat all scale is removed from the lines and valves.

In the reservoir, it will now be appreciated that the sludge or mucksettles to the bottom, while the reclaimable oil rises to the top, foreasy removal.

Referring now in detail to the operation of the piping means in FIGURE8, it is apparent that suction is applied through the line 109 to amedial region of the conduit 96, which suction may be selectivelytransmitted through either of the conduits 68 and 67, and therebyapplied to a selected tank. Also, gas discharged from the separator 91may pass through the branch conduit 108 to a medial region of thelateral conduit 101 for recirculation through the other of the conduits67 and 68 to another tank. Also, if desired, the withdrawn gases may bepassed through the reservoir 60, say if heavier material is being suckedup in the suction line 67 or 68, for its downward deflection into thereservoir by one of the bafiles 121 and 122, to prevent the passage ofsuch heavier material to the ejector 80. Obviously, an extremely highdegree of versatility is afforded by the apparatus of the presentinvention to accomplish its intended objects under all conditions ofuse.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by wayof illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, itis understood that certain changes and modifications may be made withinthe spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: I

1. Apparatus for gas-freeing and cleaning the tanks of a tanker shiphaving cargo lines connected to the respective tanks, cleaning means forintroducing cleaning liquid into said tanks, and pump means connected toeach of said cargo lines and cleaning means, said apparatus comprising:a reservoir for cleaning liquid adapted for connection to said cleaningmeans; a pair of fluid conduits each connected between said reservoirand said cargo lines for selective communication therebetween;suction-producing means having an inlet and an outlet and connected atits inlet to said pair of conduits for selective communication therewithto withdraw solids, liquids, and gases from a selected tank and locatedat an elevation suflicient to receive the withdrawn gases but not thewithdrawn solids and liquids; branch conduit means connected between theoutlet of said suction means and said pair of conduits for selectivelydischarging the withdrawn gases to the assessaatmosphere or one of saidpair of conduits; and additional pump means connected to said cargolines and reservoir for selectively passing said withdrawn solids andliquids to said reservoir or overboard.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, said suction-producing meanscomprising an ejector connected to said pump means for operation by seawater, said withdrawn gases being received by said sea water.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in combination with liquid-gasseparating means having an inlet for the sea water and entrained gas andhaving a pair of outlets for separated liquids and gases respectively,said separating means having its inlet connected to the outlet of saidejector for receiving liquids and gases therefrom and having its gasoutlet connected to said branch conduit.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, said reservoir comprising a closedvessel adapted to contain a cleaning liquid having its level spacedbelow the upper end of the vessel, said pair of conduits being connectedto said vessel at the upper region thereof spaced above thecleaninglevel liquid for the passage of withdrawn gases through saidvessel between said pair of conduits.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, the connection of said additionalpump means to said vessel being adjacent to but below the cleaning-levelliquid therein. J p

6. In apparatus for gas-freeing and cleaning the tanks of a tanker shiphaving cargo lines connected to the respective tanks, the combinationcomprising: a reservoir; a pair of fluid conduits each connected at oneend to said reservoir and having its other end adapted for con- 8fraction to said cargo lines; eductor means having an inlet and anoutlet; first fluid-passageway means between said pair of conduits andthe inlet of said eductor for selective communication of the latter withsaid pair of conduits; a discharge conduit connected to the outlet ofsaid eductor for discharge to the atmosphere; and a second fluid-passagemeans between said pair of conduits and the outlet of said eductor forselective communication of the latter with said pair of conduits andsaid discharge conduit; whereby material withdrawn from any of saidtanks is adapted to be selectively passed to another of said tanks, saidreservoir, or said discharge conduit.

7. The combination according to claim 6, said eductor comprising asiphon adapted to be operated by sea water for withdrawing material fromsaid tanks; and a liquidgas separator interposed in fluid communicationbetween said siphon and discharge conduit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS766,365 Lough Aug. 2, 1904 1,613,185 Mitchell Jan. 4, 1927 1,806,740Butterworth May 26, 1931 1,891,592 FitzGerald Dec. 20, 1932 2,153,577Levine Apr. 11, 1939 2,240,364 Kimball Apr. 29, 1941 2,596,151 HudsonMay 13, 1952 2,647,639 Grein Aug. 4, 1953 2,933,093 Handyside Apr. 19,1960

